Monday, 2 May 2011

Accessing Peterson Pipe History and Knowledge.

Accessing Peterson Pipe History and Knowledge.

As an avid Peterson pipe smoker, enthusiast and collector, I am amazed at how little has been written in the past to chronicle the Peterson pipe history and the story of it's evolution. When I first started out with my obsessive interest in all things Peterson, I immediately encountered major historical reference problems and like most enthusiasts,I was hungry for further dependable and accurate information which was just not there. Thanks to the dedication of the late Mike Leverette,a well known and respected expert collector of Peterson pipes, an attempt to rectify this historical anomaly was initiated in the early 2000's . Mike and some of his colleagues created the well known 'Peterson Pipe Project' web site, which catalogued the known early years in Peterson history and in particular a marvellous section on hallmarks and dating older pipes. Unfortunately this wonderful reference tool was never to reach its full potential development, as Mike sadly died in 2009, following a long period of illness.

In 2010 I decided to take up the enormous challenge which was required, to progress the known and still unknown historical information regarding the Peterson pipe,it's origins and its continuing modern development. My main aim is to help to clarify an otherwise chaotic Peterson history for other enthusiasts,especially the new Peterson pipe owner or collector.

Several friends and acquaintances from the pipe smoking fraternity had previously encouraged me to consider writing a book on the subject. Apart from having been initially flattered, I never really considered myself as having enough knowledge or experience with which to take on such a huge task. However the more I thought of the knowledge vacuum which had been created by Mike's death, the more I realised that there was most certainly a crying need to satisfy the many global Peterson enthusiasts with good factual background history and knowledge.

In the end I decided that the best way forward was to put such a major project on line for all to see and to be more accessible for others sharing. The marvellous evolving Pipe Wiki reference site Pipedia, had previously caught my attention with the potential to develop such a project in partnership. Pipedia were eager to develop the very basic Spartan Peterson information, which they already had and were requesting input from specialist collectors, or those with some knowledge of the brand to help further develop the resource.
I eventually made contact with Scott Thile* the site's developer and discussed with him, my ideas on expanding and developing the sites Peterson pipe information resource. Scott immediately came across to me as someone who was genuinely keen on making the site into a respected quality world wide reference resource, for all things pipe. His enthusiasm was infectious and when I admitted to being a complete newbie to computer technology, I was immediately put at ease by Scott. I started off submitting pieces and photos to Scott in the late Fall of 2010.Now over six months down the line, the piece has gone from strength to strength and is now titled 'The Peterson Pipe Chronicles'.
It is now amongst the top three most read pipe brands being regularly viewed on Pipedia, hopefully it will eventually overtake Dunhill for the No.1 top place!!!
I also have it on good insider information,that the staff at Peterson's Dublin Factory have all been issued with copies of the main 'Chronicles' piece as a reference tool. Wow! that makes me feel really good!
Scott my friend,the world wide family of Pete Nuts owes you a hearty vote of thanks for giving us the platform for developing this marvellous resource. Thank you.

Link here:- http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Peterson

*Scott Thile – Pipe Maker and Developer of the Pipe Wiki Pipedia.

This photo is reprinted here with kind permission of PipesMagazine.Com the publisher.

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"The Thinking Man's Pipe"

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About Me

Retired gentleman pipe smoker of Celtic origin.
" The difference between a Pipe connoisseur and a Pipe historian: The pipe connoisseur might be defined as a laconic pipe historian, and the
pipe historian as a loquacious connoisseur."